The National tribune., 1887-03-03
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
IN THE VALLEY.
The Shenandoah Campaign Of the Nineteenth
Corps.

The Shenandoah tRmnAlsn OF ihe Nheleeh'h
Corps.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: would like
90 say a word IN defense of the brave deeds OF
the grand old Nineteenth Corps beginning
with its timely arrival at Washington from
New Orleans simultaneously with the sixth
CORPS, saving the city from capture by zen
Earlys forces, although C0mrade Lockhart,
6lst Pa. does not mention IA his article the
presence OF the Nineteenth Corps in Washing
ton at that opportune time.
Upon the retreat of the enemy, Gen. Wright,
with the Sixth Corps aud part OF the Nine
teenth, moved cautiously in pursuit across the
Potomac 10 Leesburg, and through Smokers
Gap 10 the Shenandoah Valley. We did not
pursue any farther, but returned 10 Leesburg,
and then TO Washington. Then matters led
10 the organization of
NEW CAMPAIGN
In the Shenandoah Valley, and Gen. Sheridan
was placed in command Of strong force, con-
sisting of the Sixth Corps and two divisions of
the Nineteenth. the corps of Gen. Crook and
large body of cavalry, occupying a strong posi-
tion between larpors Ferry and Winchester,
east of the rebel army of Gen. Early, which
was strongly iutrenched near Winchester.
Preparations TO resume active operations
having been completed Gen. Sheridan attempt
ed by rapid movement toward Winchester 10
gain the rear of the rebel army, but the enemy
were alert, and then began one OF the hardest
fought battles of the war, lasting all day. The
Nineteenth Corps attacked with fury, holding
the enemy in check until the arrival of artii-
lery and infantry reinforcements, when sue
cessiul charge by the cavalry threw the rebel
line into confusion. This advantage was
promptly followed up, and the rebels retreated
10 Fishers Hin, where they made a stand.
On Sept %, after considerable manuVering.
Gen. Sheridan made attack late in the
afternoon. Gen. Crooks troops. being moved
20 the extreme right, attacked the left of
the rebel line with great fury, crushing
the enemy's flank and sweeping down be-
hind their breastworks,
DROVE THEM IN CONFUSION
toward their right At the same time the
Sixth and Nineteenth Corps attacked in front,
and the whole rebel force was soon driven IN
confusion from its position. The battle was
comparatively short, aud night prevented its
continuance, which would probably have re-
suited in the complete rout of the rebel army
from the singing blow il received
Gen. Sheridan followed the retreating rebels
as far as Staunton, aud as they passed through
the gaps TO Charlottesville the pursuit was
continued no farther. We then IN back TO
Cedar Creek, TO he near our base of sup
plies, between Strasburg and Winchester,
where we encamped. and there took place
the battle Of Cedar Creek. The rebels, rein
forced from Richmond, advanced down the
Valley, aud early on the morning Of Oct 10
made a sudden attack upon our camps, under
the cover of the darkness and in a dense fog
gaining position for an attack upon the left
flank of our lines. AT dawn, while the fog
still prevailed, the enemy made a sudden at
tack, sweeping back the Union line, and charg-
ing at once into the camps of the Eighth
Corps. The rebels swept in compact lines
through the camps, driving back The surprised
troops. They succeeded mainly because our
lines were bat poorly iutrenched, or in other
oxrcl nf,a cd xrglt,. hos haa
The Nineteenth Corps, alarmed by the at
tack on the Eighth, had more time to form for
resistance, but we held very uniavorable
position 10 oppose the furious onslaught of the
enemy, who were in our flank and rear In
the fog and darkness
A DESPERATE CONTEST
took place, but we were az last obliged TO fall
back III was impossible to tell where 20
take position, and we became separated, and
there was not strength and compaetness enough
20 meet the solid ranks OF the assailants. Al
though fighting under such a disadvantage,
and severely cut up, we held the rebels in
check for over an hour, gradually retreating
falling back across small stream between US
and the Sixth Corps, which had still more time
TO form and get a better knowledge of the
position Of affairs and the advance of the
enemy. The Sixth was a large corps and able
20 offer stronger resistance. while the Nine
teenth was rallied and advanced TO aid it,
The rebels had gained a great advantage by
getting possession Of the key TO the position
before they commenced their attack, and the
clutch they had IpOn the left flank gave them
again the advantage, SO that mo effective resist
ance could be offered till the army was with
drawn far enough 10
REFORM ITS BROKEN LINES
There was a calm in the storm of battle, Civ
ing Gen. Wright an opportunity 10 rally his
shattered army, but he had little success in his
attempts.
AZ that opportune moment Gen. Sheridan
arrived on the battlefield from Winchester
His appearance inspired the widest enthu-
eiasm amongst his inen. As he rode from regi-
ment 10 regiment speaking words of cheer
and encouragement 10 his men, their conf
dence was restored, changing defeat into vic
tory.
The broken troops were quickly reorganized
straggers found their places, new dispositions
were made, and the whole aspect of affairs was
changed. The rebels again renewed their at
tack by heavy volleys but were this time re.
pulsed, and soon after attack was made
by our combined army, with a charge along the
whole line, at the same time max ing right
wheel, striking the rebels on the flank crush
ing them, and getting in their rear. They
were driven Ia confusion over the ground
which they had so recently taken. Thecavalry
swept upon their TANKS, the infantry pursued
WIZ AhNiithF "%lNlANs dhh AhG afAlllcfN sent
shells into their broken ranks They were
AS COMPLETELY ROUTED
as the surprised soldiers of the Eighth Corps
had been when driven from their camps in the
morning
The cavalry pursued beyond Fishers Hill
entirely destroying the rebel army of Gen
Early. The result of this battle which at one
time appeared 10 Overwhelm us with disaster
and ruin, WIS one Of the most remarkable in
The history of the war. Ii was only achieved
by the skill aud determination of Gen. Sheri-
dan, and by the mutual confidence between
himself and has brave army. The enemy, thus
signally defeated. did not attempt another
hostile movement down the Shenandoah Val
ley. and this ended the brilliant campaign
OF the grand old Nineteenth Corps IL made
for itself a name IN history that no mis-
representations by others eau Destroys. ].
Campbell, Co. q, Both Mass. Meriden, Conn.
The stOr! Of a Bake-Oven.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: will tell Won
The story Of the halze-oven of the 23a Wis. IL
may remind some OF the comrades Of old